Acetylene-gas generator.



lNo. 844,047.

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`inclosing the carbid-chamber,

ing instant contact of the water with the car- ROSENBLUTH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ACETYLENEmC-LS GENEHATQR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application filed April 29,1901. Serial No1 57,933.

1'0 (tI/Z mlm/'11, t may cm1/cern:

Be it known that l, EDWIN M. ROSEN- BLUrn, of Philadelphia, in Sylvania, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Acetylene-Gas Generators, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had drawings. ,o

My present improvements are particularly applicable to portable generators arranged 'for embodiment in vehicle-lamps and to the class wherein the supply of water gravitates to the supply of carbid.

lt is the object of my invention to provide a device wherein gas may be intermittently generated from a single charge of carbid until such charge is entirely consumed, so that regardless or the extent of intermission and even when the charge or carbid is partially decomposed the generation ot gas may be instantly resumed at the will of the operator.

My invention comprises means to spread a supply of water over a large area of the wall thereby insurbid, utilizing the external atmosphere in maintaining the water at a low temperature until its actual contact with the carbid and also utilizing the capillarity of said wall in delivering water to the carbid.

My invention also comprises means to render dustproof the water-conduit extending within the carbid-chamber, so that regardless of thevibration of the generator when attached to a vehicle the carbid will be at all times excluded from the water inlet and valve and the connections leading thereto.

My invention consists ot the novel arrangement and construction of elements hereinafter more de'linitely speoi'lied and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional view or' a gas-generator lamp conveniently embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a carbid-chainber, showing a modified form of watercolumn applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the watercoluinn shown in l! ig. 2. Fig 4 is the siie elevation of the water-column shown in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the water-column shown in Fig. 4l. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a moditied form of water-column. Fig. 7' is a plan view of the water-column shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detailed view showing means for the State oi" Pennl to the accompanying l retaining the water-valve in predetermined l position. Referring to F l, the carbid-chamber A l is provided with a cap B, upon which is fixed l the water-chamber C. Said carbid-cliamber l A is provided with an annular flange Al at its top, which serves to retain the gasket a, l which is con'ipressed to seal the joint between the carbid-chamber A and its cap B by the engagement of the screw-thread a of the carbid-chamber with the screw-thread l) l lhe hollow column D, which is llprovided at its wlower extremity with the radial water-feeders d, is centrally located in said chamber A, with its top in registry with the water-inlet tube c, which extends l from the bottom of the water-chamber C and of said cap.

forms, with the said column D, a duct arranged to deliver water from said chamber C radially l outward at the bottom oll the said carbidy chamber to the loor a2 thereof and in conl tact with the mass ol' carbid X in said chamber, said 'l'loor a"l being preferably inclined y downwardlytoward its peripheryto facilitate the distribution of the water. The waterl inlet tube c being provided with the annular l vflange c serves to retain the gasket c`z in pol sition to seal the top of the column D in dustproof relation with said tube when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. l. Said inlet-tube c receives water l'roin the chamber C through the port c, which latter is normally peneol by the water in the chamber C, but may be closed automatically by the checkvalve c4 when the back pressure cl gas within the generator exceeds said water-pressure. The rate of delivery of the water Y from the chamber C to the water-column D may be precisely predetermined by the set of the valve c5 with respect to its seat c in the valve-casing C, said valve c5 being provided with a head C2, arranged to be retained in l adjusted position by the engagement of the spring-datent C3 in any selected notch c7 of l said head. later delivered at a predetermined rate through the inlet-tube c by the 'ineans above described gravitates through l the column D to the Vlicor a2 of said chamber \A and is distributed equally through the l l l l i mass ol carbid X by thc capillarity ol"l the radial feeders d of the iloor a'2 and of the outer wall a of said chamber.

l iind that the generation of gas is facili- X is compressed tated if the charge of carbid a2 of the in intimate contact with the licor IOC ' that carbid-chamber A, and for this purpose I provide the diaphragm E, whose spring e abuts against the lid B and is gradually compressed as the carbid expands in the process of decomposition and raises said diaphragm. The generated gas rises through the mass X to the top of the chamber A and, escaping therefrom through the gas-tube F and the burner G, may be consumed in the flame g. The quantity of gas generated is of course determined by the quantity of water admitted to the mass X, which quantity may be varied and precisely determined by rotation of the valve-head C2 in one direction or the other.

rlhe device above described may be conveniently utilized as follows: The chamber A being charged with carbid X and the chamber C being charged with water Y, the normal position of the device is with the head C2 of the valve c5 rotated to the off position indicated in Fig. 8, in which position said valve is closed upon its seat c, as shown in Fig. l. rI`he generation of gas may be initiated by rotation of said head C2 in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. 8, thereby opening valve 'c5 and admittingthe water Y through the valve-casing C, inlet-tube c, and the water-column D to be distributed by the feeders d, &c., to the carbid, as above described. The carbid X having been consumed, the carbid-chamber A may be released from its threaded engagement with the lid B and removed therefrom, together with the diaphragm E. The ashy residue of the carbid X may then be loosened from the chamber A conveniently by a knife cut circumscribing the mass X adjoining the wall a3. Said residue being removed from the chamber A, a fresh charge of carbid may be packed upon the floor (1,2, surrounding the column D, and the diaphragm E being placed within the chamber A surrounding the column D the parts may be restored to their assembled position, as shown in Fig. l.

'lhe feeders d (shown in Figs. l, 4, and 5) are cheaply and conveniently constructed of solid wire entered through apertures in the opposite sides of the column D in crossed relation, as best shown in Fig. 5, whereby they serve as a screen to exclude the carbid from the bottom of the column D. The precise shape of the radial feeders at the bottom of the water-column is immaterial, provided they are in such communication with the water-supply as to transmit the same uniformly to the carbid. For instance, the column D (shown in Figs. 6 and 7) may be provided with radial feeders CZ of inverted-U- shaped cross-section, which form affords a larger extent of surface for the capillary distribution of the water received from the column D than is afforded by the feeders (l aforesaid.

I have shown a further modification of my invention in Figs. 2 and 3, wherein the column D2 is provided at its bottom with a flange cl2, comprising radial feeders d3, which are of inverted-U-shaped cross-section similar to the feeders d', but of less depth. I also find it advantageous to connect the feeders d3 by an annular channel d4, which serves to further equalize the distribution of water therefrom. In the latter form of my invention the water delivered by the feeders d3 finds access to the superimposed mass of carbid through the apertures c and d6.

I am aware that it is old in generators of the general class specified to provide a mass of carbid with a centrally-located water-column but, as far as I am aware, such columns of the prior art have been in open communication with the carbid at the top thereof. rlthe vibration of such a device 'when attached to a vehicle causes the dust from the charge of carbid to fall within the open column aforesaid and not only obstruct the passage of the water, but after a short period of use render the water-valve inoperative by corrosion of the parts connected therewith. Therefore my improved construction is advantageous in that although the water-column may be removed readily it is normally secured in dustproof relation with the 'waterinlet, and the entire water-conduit is so arranged that the carbid is at all times excluded therefrom. Moreover, in the aforesaid devices of the prior art the water is delivered locally at the center of the carbid mass and becomes heated before its actual contact therewith, whereas in my improved construction the water is delivered to the carbid by the radial feeders in such conjunction with the floor of the carbid-chamber as to be fractionated over a large area of the wall exposed to the outer atmosphere, and the water is thus maintained at the lowest temperature possible until its actual contact with the carbid.

The capillarity of the feeding-surfaces arranged in contact with the carbid as above described is such that even if the carbid is almost entirely decomposed some active portion of it will be instantly reached by the supply of water directed thereto after an intermission in the generation of gas, even when the carbid has been partially decomposed and subsequently dried. Therefore a vehicle-lamp provided with my improved generator maybe repeatedly extinguished and relighted with the same facility as an oilburner.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise arrangement or construction of my invention which I have herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention.

I claim- 1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the com- IOO ISO

to deliver water from said 'water-chamber tol t-he bottom ct said carbid-chamber; and water-feeders carried by said column and extending radially therefrom `wwithin and in contact with the carbid mass, adjacent to the ilccr of the carbid-chamber, substantially as set forth.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a carbid-chamber; ci a waterchamber above said carbid-chamber; a removable 'water-column arranged to deliver `water i 1cm said water-chamber to t ie bottcm ci said carbid-chamber and 'Water-feeders carried by said column, supported by the floor cf the carbid-chamber, and comprising channels extending radially from the bottom of said column within the carbid mass, ad] acent to t ie lccr ci' said carbid-chamber, substantially as set forth.

1l. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combinapion with a carbid-chamber; o1Q a removable lid for said chamber; a waerchamber iixed upon said lid; a deacliable Winer-column within said carbid-chamber; radial feeders exending from the bottom oi said column; a waer-inlet `vtube eXLending vfrom said waierechamber through said carbid-chamber lid in registry with said wa'. ercolumn, and comprising a detachable nozzle with a resricied oiulet; a resilient gasket arranged on said inlet-tube to engage said column in dusprooi" relation therewith; and, means on said tube arranged to normally prevent removal of said gasket, substantially as se; forth. l

5. In an acetylene-gas generator, the comiinaiion with a carbid-chamber; of a removable lid for said chamber; a waierchamber iiXed upon said lid; a detached waer-column within said carbid-chamber; radial feeders exending from the bottom ot said column; a water-inlet 'Lube exlending Vfrom said raler-chamber through said carbid-chamber lid in registry with said waercolumn; resilientl means arranged to engage said column in dusproolVl relacion with said inlet-nbc; and, 'a valve arranged 'to control communication between said inlet-tube and said water-chamber, substantially as set forth.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a carbid-chamber; of a removable lid for said chamber; a water-chamber fixed upon said lid; a detached water column within said carbid-chamber; radial 'feeders extending from the botiom oi said column; a water-inlet tube exiending from said waer-chamber through said carbidcliamber lid in regiszry with said water-column; resilient means arranged to engage said column in dusiprooi reladon Wiih said inlet-Lube; and, a check-valve arranged to automatically conirol communicaion between said inlet-tube and said water-chamber, substantially as set lorth.

7. In an ace-. ylenegas generator, the cominaiion with a carbid.- chamber; of a ref movable lid tor Isaid chamber; a wat er-chamber iiXed 'upon said lid; a detached wa'ercolumn within said carbid-chamber; radial feeders extending from the bottom orc said column; a wager-inlet tube extending Jfrom said water-chamber through said carbidchamber lid in registry with said water-column; resilient means arranged to engage said column in dusprooi relation with said inlet-tube; a check-valve arranged to automagically control communication between said inlet-'Lube and said waLer-chamber; and, a manually-opera'ive valve arranged to control communication between said checkvalve and said water-column, substantiallyr as set tor-h S. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combina'ion with a carbid-chamber; of a ree movable lid for said chamber; a waterchamber 'lixed upon said lid; a detached waLer-column within said carbid-chamber; radial feeders extending from the bottom of said column; a water-inlet tube extending from said waLer-ehamber through said carbid-chamber lid in regisiry with said watercolumn and comprising a detachable nozzle with a rearicted outlet; a resilient gasket arranged on said inlet-Lube to engage said column in dusprool2 relation therewith; means on said tube arranged to normally prevent removal oi said gasket; a checkvalve arranged to automatically comrol communication between said inletetube and said wager-chamber; and, a manually-operative valve arranged to control communication between said check-valve and said restricied outlet, substantially as set forth.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combinalion with a carbid-chamber; of a removable lid for said chamber; a waterchamber iixed upon said lid; a detached and removable metallic waler column within said carbidchamber; radial metallic feeders extending from the bottom of said column in iniegral relation therewith; a water-inlet tube, extending from said water-chamber through said carbid-chamber lid in registry with said water-column; and, resilient means IOC IIO

IZO

arranged to engage said column in dustproof relation with said inlet-tube, substantially as set forth.

l0. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a carbid-chamber; of a removable lid for said chamber; a waterchamber fixed upon said lid a gas-tube extending through said water-chamber and lid, connecting them in rigid relation; a metallic water-column within said carbid-chamber; radial metallic feeders extending from the bottom of said column in integral relation therewith; and7 means arranged to supply said column with water from said waterchamber, substantially as set forth.

l1. In an acetylene-gas generatorl the combination with Ia carbid-chamber; of a water-chamber xed upon said carbid-chamber; a gas-tube extending through said water-chamber and lid, connecting them in rigid relation; a detached and removable water-column within said carbid-chamber and radial metallic feeders extending from the bottom of said column in integral relation therewith; and, means arranged to supply said column with water from said waterchamber, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 27th day of April, 1901.

EDWIN M. ROSENBLUTH.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, CLIFTON C. HALLowELL. 

